And she plans to take on a unique challenge to help do that.
Waldo – who hails from Moose Jaw and competed for Team Sask at the 2007 Games in Whitehorse and was a regular member of the provincial alpine team throughout the 2000s – will be participating in the “Roll For SaSki Sisters’ inline skating run from Moose Jaw to Regina on Sept. 5.
The event will take place in support of the SaSki Sisters all-girls ski camp, which offers youngsters taking up the sport a chance to learn the fundamentals of ski racing, encourage skiing for life and develop relationships among fellow racers, coaches and the entire ski community.
“It’s a way to bring our small alpine community together and hopefully encourage people who aren’t part of our community become part of our community,” said Waldo, who will be joined by fellow coaches Heather Sten and Naomi Ottenbreit in making the trip.
“Saskatchewan and alpine skiing, not that long ago you’d say it’s an oxymoron and it certainly is. But what’s really special about our community is how inclusive and tight-knit we are. If someone is new to it, it’s ‘hello, let us show you the ropes, let's ensure you’re having fun and you want to be here for the long run. And what’s the point of doing it if you’re not having fun?”
Obviously, a question many will come up with when hearing of the endeavour is “why inline skating?” As it turns out, there’s a very good reason: many of the basics of rollerblading also translate into downhill skiing, to the point that a strong base from the summer sport can make a big difference in hitting the hills.
“In some ways it’s more than familiar, it’s the same,” Waldo explained. “It’s all about building on the athletic position and in skiing, using all joints. The ankle movement, the ankle rolling the fore and aft movement, is such a simple concept but in reality, is such a challenging piece of the puzzle for technical for skiers to perform… Rollerblading creates that accessibility that being in a ski boot just can’t do.”
To that end, on top of their journey down the Trans-Canada, the SaSki Sisters will be holding a pair of fundraising camps next Tuesday in Regina and Thursday in Saskatoon.
Participants can reach out to Waldo and her fellow coaches through saskisisters@gmail.com, through Instagram at @saskski_sisters as well as their Facebook page in order to register and for the time and place.
“This way, they’re no just dreaming about skiing in the summer and they’re practising the skills we teach them to be able to use in the winter,” Waldo said.
Participants will need their skates, a helmet and wristguards, with elbow pads and knee pads encouraged. COVID-19 concerns are being addressed, with social distancing and groups being kept to 15 or fewer and additional sessions planned if enough interest is shown.
The fee will be a ‘pay-what-you-can’ format and will go to the SaSki Sisters program.
As for the event in September, Waldo and her fellow coaches are looking forward to the challenge, but are more than aware of how the 72-kilometre journey between the two City Halls could be challenging. That has them planning to take advantage of the wind and possibly switch to a Regina to Moose Jaw skate if it’s more favourable.
“That distance, the three of us, none of us are spring chickens and we want to have fun too,” Waldo said. “We’re going to have the best day we can, and it’s going fun, so not having to deal with a bad headwind will make it a lot better.”
The SaSki Sisters have started a GoFundMe page ‘Roll For SaSki Sisters,' which currently has raised $1,350 of its $5,000 goal. Donations can be made there or by contacting the group via e-mail for a more secure donation.
“If what we’re doing resonates, donate! Whatever you can or what you feel, whatever you want to donate, please do,” Waldo said.
